Method and apparatus for ammonia (NH3) generation

Abstract

Various apparatuses and methods for producing ammonia are provided. One embodiment has uses a plurality of environments and an electrode configured to be exposed to the plurality of environments. The electrode is configured to receive hydrogen while being exposed to one of the environments, reduce nitrogen while being exposed to another environment, and allow the hydrogen and nitrogen to react with each other to form ammonia. Other embodiments provide for simultaneous hydrogen oxidation and nitrogen reduction at the same electrode, which in turn react for formation of ammonia.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 871,244, filed Dec. 21, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for generating ammonia (NH3).[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]Currently, annual ammonia production exceeds 110 million metric tons, which is more than any other inorganic chemical. Approximately 80% of ammonia produced is used in agriculture. The modern, large scale manufacture of ammonia is accomplished through the Haber-Bosch process. Originally patented in 1910 (U.S. Pat. No. 971,501) by Fritz Haber and Robert Le Rossignol, the process was later commercialized by Carl Bosch and was first used for wide scale ammonia production by Germany in World War I. The Haber-Bosch process has remained fundamentally the same since th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021]In still another embodiment, another apparatus for generating ammonia is provided. The apparatus includes a first chamber that is constructed and arranged to hold a nitrogen-containing electrolyte, a second chamber that is constructed and arranged to hold a hydrogen-containing electrolyte, and a working electrode that absorbs hydrogen and then both oxidizes hydrogen and reduces nitrogen at a surface. The first chamber includes a reference electrode and the second chamber includes a reference electrode and a counter electrode to provide the electrochemical environment in which the ammonia may be created.

Problems solved by technology

The temperatures and pressures involved in this process require large energy expenditures.

The Haber-Bosch process also requires a delicate balance of temperature and pressure to optimize ammonia output.

Thus, much of the energy expended in the manufacturing process is wasted on these competing processing variables.

A number of attempts have been made to overcome this fundamental issue, such as using catalysts that are selective for the reduction of N2, and utilizing organic proton sources that have poor electrochemical activity (e.g., ethanol), and performing the reaction in highly basic aqueous solutions to limit the availability of hydrogen, but have had very limited success.

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